Day Two of the Adventure

The second day we wanted to get an early start. We headed to Denny’s at 6:00 a.m. for breakfast and some flight planning. We arrived at the airport at 7:00 a.m. to start the second day of our adventure. We started flying up the coast and got 45 minutes or so of flying in when the clouds ahead started to get bigger. Aviatrix tries to navigate around them but at our slow speed realizes that this is a futile effort so we divert and land at Fernandina Beach. The great thing about the Southern states is that there are numerous airstrips. We landed and a couple of guys quickly came over to ask about the plane. One offers us hangar space if we get socked in. Aviatrix and I go in to the Airport to check the weather but I am confident that this is a typical short term Floridian storm. The satellite images, and one of the experienced locals confirms this and says expect the storm to blow over in about 45 minutes. Just enough time for me to check my e-mails from work and look at the stock market activity at opening bell. The local is right about the weather and away we go again and this time we make it to Claxton, Georgia.

It is a spectacular day and we land at a small strip in Claxton, Georgia. The weather is warm, the day is bright and the sky is clear. The strip looks well kept. There is a base station but it looks like no one is around. In fact, the door has a keypad lock and there is a sign posted to use the UNICOM radio frequency number for entry. Inside there is a sign that indicates that there is a courtesy car for use and to call the police station for the keys. We locate the keys and head into town for some MOGAS and lunch. It is interesting stop and I learn a lot about the small town of Claxton from the gas station operator. Claxton is known as the Fruit Cake Capital of the World. The gas station operator tells me about the founder of the Claxton Bakery and his successor Albert Parker. It is a very interesting story and a quick look at the following site is a great example of the positive differences one individual can make in a community www.claxtonfruitcake.com/page.php?page=tribute.

After a couple of trips to the gas station I am back at the base station pulling in behind a guy in a nice sporty car. He is out of his car and quickly racing towards my plane shouting over to Aviatrix and then looking behind at me “is that your plane?” Aviatrix answers ”it is her plane” and he continues to descend upon my plane. He has never seen anything like it and asks Aviatrix several questions. It is only the second day of flying my little plane and at each stop, we seem to have several men approach us with a barrage of questions. None of which stumps Aviatrix.

After our discussion with the onlooker and a call to the manufacturer about a few things we are on our way. This time we are heading to Union County, South Carolina. It is a great day to be flying and I am getting a lot of experience. The take offs and landings are done by Aviatrix but I am getting a lot of flying time in between. The climbing is a little more challenging for me as my seat needs to be adjusted higher so I have a better visibility over the dash during the climb. But I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. After approximately 3 hours of air time, we are in Union County. It looks a little more barren then Claxton and I don’t see a courtesy car. It is after 7:00 p.m. and there isn’t a sole around and no entry into the base station. There is a sign that lists the Airport Manager’s contact number. Aviatrix and I decide to give him a call and ask him for a phone number for a local taxi service. The manager answers the phone and Aviatrix explains that we are at the airport and need to get a taxi into town. He says he will be right there to pick us up and sure enough moments later there he was.

The Airport manager is very helpful. He shows us the two motels in town and also recommends a few restaurants. He also gives us a tour of the small town and showed us the football field that he manages. We explain to him that we are going to need MOGAS in the morning and that we plan to take off early. He says he will arrange to have MOGAS for us and to call his receptionist in the morning and she will pick us up at the motel and drive us to the airport. He cautions us about the prison workforce that he has working at the Airport. He says they are mostly a bunch of guys that skipped out on their child support payments. They will be wearing orange coveralls. Is it rude to ask him if they are chained? I don’t ask.

Training on My New Plane and Heading North

The first day of our journey was scheduled so that Aviatrix and I could each get a couple of hours of training on my new little bird and weather permitting, start our journey home heading up the coast towards Northern Florida. We arrived at the factory a few minutes before our scheduled 8:30 a.m. arrival and there was my little bird on the runway. Very cool.

I was not as far along in my flight training as I would have liked but I had a progress report from my instructor so that Aviatrix and the manufacturer/flight instructor, Bob, could determine what would be suitable additional training. Bob had e-mailed us a pre flight and after flight check list before we arrived and Aviatrix and I went over the list the previous night. That morning, Bob did a detailed walk around the plane showing us various things. Then Bob and I flew off. We had 15 mile per hour winds so it was slightly bumpy. However, we did several landings on water and a couple of stalls. Then we went in for a ground landing. Next, it was Aviatrix’s turn to get some training in on my little bird. I would use this time to return the rental car so that we would be good to go after Aviatrix returned, we ate lunch and I settled my bill with the manufacturer. Unfortunately, I returned the rental car with Aviatrix’s bags still in the trunk.

My husband and I have travelling together down to a science. Whenever we arrive in an airport, I stand by the baggage carousel and get the two sets of golf clubs, my small bag and his biggest bag in the world. His motto is “when in doubt, take it” therefore, the large bag. He then quickly makes his way to the rental counter racing past all traffic in his path. The pickup and return of the rental car is his deal. This is not an excuse. I did know Aviatrix’s bags were in the trunk as I retrieved her headset out of the trunk just a few hours earlier, however, when I returned the car, I looked for all visible items in the car and neglected to open the trunk. I was so darn excited at the prospect of getting our first leg of the trip started and I was very cognizant of the weather. It was imperative to get a good start at heading as far up the coast as possible before Hurricane Hannah descended. Getting out of the Southern States as soon as possible would reduce our risk of weather delay considerably.

Aviatrix returned from her flight training and quickly asked if I had got her bags from the trunk. I shook my head. Then she told me her computer was in her bag. We went into high gear. We went back to the rental car place although we knew it would be closed as they shut down at 1:00 p.m. on labour day, moments before we discovered my omission. However, the car was still at the exact place that I dropped it off and we hired a locksmith to come out and open the trunk. Aviatrix’s bags were still in the trunk. Success and back on track. I was impressed by Aviatrix’s handling of the situation. We were also very grateful to have the assistance of the manufacturer’s wife who taxied me to the rental car office twice on the same day.

We arrived back to the factory, loaded up the plane and headed up the coast to experience the first leg of our journey. Flying north along Daytona Beach is too cool for words. It was about 90 degrees so we had the doors off and I had my arm out the window. We were flying at 2500 feet above ground and had great visibility. Again, just too cool for words.

After approximately two hours of flying we decided to land in St. Augustine, Florida. Aviatrix lands the plane and we taxi to an area where the planes are tied down. I mean jets, my little bird is parked by Cirrus jets, Learjets and other hot looking planes. A man in a golf cart with a bright green vest quickly comes up to meet us. Soon later, another individual comes over for a chat. They are very curious to learn about my new plane. The bright green vested men are employees of the fixed base operator, hired to meet planes and accommodate their fuel requirements. However, my littler bird takes premium auto gas, known as MOGAS in aviation terms; something that I learn is not readily available at airports. Also, generally not readily available are cans to put the MOGAS in. The attendants offer to take us to a gas station and to find some gas cans for us. While they are rounding up the cans we tie down my bird and Aviatrix does a thorough check of the bird. Then we head into a sexy looking building used to coordinate services for the plane owners. It has a pilot station where pilots can check the weather, do flight planning etc. There is also a sort of concierge. He arranges for a taxi and a hotel room for us. The hotel rates were very reasonable and we stayed at a Comfort Inn that was close by for about $55. He also takes down the information about my plane as I am wondering how much it is for my plane to bunk down beside the Cirrus jet. Aviatrix casually mentions that she is unsure how much to tip. This was a good save as I go fishing in my pockets for some bills for the gas guys. As it turned out it was only $15 for my bird to bunk down. We headed to the hotel and prepared for an early start the next day.

Meeting the Ferry Pilot - Aviatrix

I had arranged to meet Aviatrix in the Orlando Airport at the baggage claim area. I had booked our flights so that we arrived in Orlando within ten minutes of each other. I could tell from our correspondence that Aviatrix was very competent, detailed and professional. She had e-mailed me a picture of herself and sure enough there she was!

We got the rental car and headed for Rockledge to get dinner and a good night sleep before our training the next morning on my new plane. Our dinner choices were limited and we opted to eat close to our hotel sacrificing better restaurant choices further away to gain more sleep.

I could tell after a few short hours with Aviatrix that she knew how to travel smart – eating properly, keeping physically fit and being very adaptable. This will be a great trip!

The Day of the Trip to Orlando

On the departure day of a trip my household is on high alert. Stress levels are elevated and so are emotions. Throw in some sleep deprivation and you have quite a cocktail. Usually before a trip, my husband and I work about 60 to 70 hours a week before the trip so that we have our businesses in good order before we leave. Needless to say, we are generally pretty tired. This time was no exception. Although I was making an effort to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep a night during the previous week, the numerous days of trying to cram a 28 hour day into a 24 hour day has caught up with me. Also, the call at 12:35 a.m. did not help.

Any way, it is a busy morning gathering the last minute details and answering calls from people who are telling me to be careful and not to fly in bad weather. I did get a great call from my Mother. My Mother has dementia. In earlier years, whenever I was preparing for an exam, I would always call my Mother with the usual - I am going to flunk - and my Mom would say no you are not, you always do well. I would say it is different this time and she would assure me that it wasn’t. She would also ask me why I couldn’t be more like my twin sisters. She would say, they partied and had a good time in university, you didn’t see them worrying about getting "A"s and they did alright. Indeed they did. My Mom hasn’t had the faculties to call me before a big life event in several years. But this morning she called to say that I could do it, that I should be confident, I can do anything that I set my mind to. It sounded like my old Mom. A few minutes later my sister called to ask me when I would be arriving in Fredericton with my small bird because Mom had told her I would be there tomorrow. Well, my conversation with my Mom was good even if her cognizance didn’t last long.

I am surprised by the number of people that call and say they are going to pray for me. What is the biggie? Do they pray for me daily when I drive to work with husband? This happens to be the most stressful part of my day and I am stock broker. On the drive out to the airport, I tried to understand the big deal? What I am doing is normal; people fly small aircraft all the time. Don’t they?

One Day before Orlando

The day before my trip to Orlando I still have a few items on my to do list. I am heading to a local hardware store before one last flight lesson before my adventure. I find most of the items on my list except for a 6 inch monkey wrench which the clerk informs me that they don’t make???

My flight lesson was good and I am starting to piece things together. However, I will be glad to fly my own plane. I don’t remember having any problems with the flaps in the Aventura. Now I am off to a wedding and hopefully I will be home early for a good night’s sleep!

The Days Leading Up to the Great Adventure

Six Days Before takeoff to Orlando
It is almost 11:00 p.m. and I think I made it through the day without any curve balls. A few little oddities though, I booked Aviatrix’s airline ticket from Halifax to Vancouver and I haven’t received a confirmation. Also, I am waiting for my insurance quote.

A piece of good news though, I had another flying lesson today and I got the piece of paper that says I am qualified to get my student pilot’s license. This is a good day.

Five Days before Orlando
The plane manufacturer finally had time to take my bird up for a test flight. He recommends that I purchase brakes for my plane and says his assistant will give me a call with a quote. I guess brakes are another option.

I tested my personal locator beacon – SPOT and it works. The application is not working exactly how I thought it would in that it isn’t tracking me every ten minutes, rather it is only showing where I am when I activate the device and where I am when I deactivate the device.

Four Days before Orlando
The manufacturer calls. My brand new radio is fried. My only option is to buy a used radio from the manufacturer and have it installed in time for our flight home. My fried radio came with a 30-day money back guarantee but it has been over 30 days since the radio was shipped to the manufacturer. A call to the sales manager at Gulf Coast Avionics and an explanation as to why I am over the 30 days and I have an agreement from him to refund my money. Thank you Gulf Coast Avionics.

Three Days before Orlando
I must be living a dream – no plane curve balls today!

Two Days before Orlando
The manufacturer and I have been conversing on almost a daily basis. I am your typical PITA (pain in the a_ _) customer. However, we are coming down to the wire and I am confident that I am going to be happy with the end product. He reminds me that I am not buying a Cadillac but rather a Kit Plane. I understand – who buys Cadillacs?

Aviatrix had suggested that I carry some tools on board. Great idea I thought so asked the manufacturer what he would recommend. He gave me a list which included a monkey wrench and a box wrench. That evening, I headed out to Home Depot with my list in hand. I spoke to the salesperson in the tools department. This individual didn’t know what either a monkey wrench or box wrench was. Sure as sure I didn’t either. Until recently, I only had two things in my tool box – a check book and a pen. I got home from the store and explained my lack of progress to my husband. He suggested I google the items for a description. Tomorrow is a new day and after my visit to wiklepedia, I will be better prepared for my shopping expedition.

The Great Disconnect

I was talking with the plane manufacturer again and he informs me that I need a minimum of 140 pounds of weight in the cabin when I am flying the plane. Because I am under that weight, he asks me if I have seen the bags of bee bees that are available at an ammo store. Hey, I watch Law and Order so I know ammo is short for ammunition but in terms of an ammo store, can’t say I have ever seen one. Certainly not next to my local Starbucks. Also, the only gun in my house is my husband’s versatile handyman special – the glue gun. I am not sure the manufacturer relates.

My friend in the Panhandle understands cultural differences completely. In fact, when I was visiting him and his family in March we were poolside and his granddaughter was playing with her water gun. I picked up another water gun and tried to squirt the water out. As I struggled my friend asked his granddaughter “give her a hand, she’s Canadian, they don’t know how to shoot guns up there”. Appropriate I thought.

Seven Days before Departure and Three Curve Balls – August 25, 2008

Just seven more days until I fly to Orlando to pick up my bird. It is pretty darn exciting! I checked, double checked and triple checked my to do list and I just have a few things left. It is great to be organized and have a plan come together. Forget that – it is time to deal with the unforeseen.

Curve Ball # One
One of the items left on my list is to finalize the insurance for my plane. I have spoken to the two main insurance carriers in Canada for recreational planes. I have analyzed the pros and cons of each of their policies and determined that I will go with the one that offers hull insurance. I called back the company and got a different representative on the phone. The information is completely different, including the price, the amount of coverage and real kicker - not being able to insure me because I have not yet received my student pilot’s permit. I am ready for a meltdown. What am I going to do with an uninsured plane in Florida? I called my husband who is experiencing a number of his own business related problems and it is only 11:00 a.m. on a Monday. He asked me if I want a tissue. I do think it is a funny line and remind myself to use it in the future but no time now to digress.

I decided to call the insurance company back and explain my dilemma and ask them if there is anything that they can do for me. The woman that I was dealing with earlier in the day answered the phone and as I explained my situation she said let me transfer you to … I said no, this is the guy that gave me all the wrong info, but it was too late. He picked up and said it was no problem to insure me without a student pilot’s license and to fax him the application. Something tells me my insurance dilemma is not over.


Curve ball # 2
I spoke to the manufacturer again today about the transponder. Two weeks ago he indicated that it was not working properly. He said the weather has not been good and the only way to test the transponder is in the air. He may not have time to do this until Wednesday. I explained to him that I would need to send the transponder back to the avionics company that I bought it from in Lakeland, FL if it didn’t work and by the time they ship a new unit back it would be cutting it close to our departure date.

In recanting the events of the day during the drive home from work with my husband, my husband said that I should expect about forty curveballs by the end of the week. Is he trying to make me feel better?

Curve Ball # 3
That evening, I am activating my SPOT personal locator beacon and one of the items that is needed is the serial number. It is on the device underneath the battery cover. I locate it after unscrewing the cover, hard to do with a pencil I might add. The serial number and authorization number is on a sticker but half of the last number is cut off. I called SPOT’s help line and they said they could get the last number to me within one day. I decide to try a few numbers because the last number looks like either a 5 or 9. I try my luck with the 5 and it works - success! Then I set up my Spot home page and the hour glass appears after I complete the required fields. It is up for fifteen minutes and so I decide to call the help line again. They inform me that their system is down. They said check back in ten minutes. I am not a whiz when it comes to GPS and internet technology but the layman’s question becomes “what if your system is down when I need help?”

Tomorrow is a new day.

Life & Finding a Ferry Pilot Part 3

One of the first questions people ask me once they learn that I am taking my ultra light pilot’s license and buying a plane is “Is this your lifelong dream?” I think that they are disappointed when I say no. Maybe they are expecting some kind of fairy book ending – not sure. However, I pretty much get up each day and am grateful for the day ahead and then try to make the most of it that I can. If I had a lifelong dream, I hope I would be living it now or would have lived it by now. I am very fortunate.

I have mentioned in my previous postings that I consider myself to be fiscally prudent. One of my husband’s university friends was on the East coast visiting family and joined us for dinner. This friend has very high-end taste. He was talking about buying a rain suit for golf and it was $600. Sometimes he plays two rounds of golf back to back so he had to buy two $600 rain suits. I was giving him a hard time about being so frivolous with his money and he said “you bought a plane.” Point taken.

There are certain things that I know about myself. I love a good adventure, even though I bought a plane I do watch my pennies and I like dependable, competent and enthusiastic individuals. I have been looking for a ferry pilot that can help me fly my little bird back from Florida. I have spoken to a few candidates that made it seem as though it would be quite a burden to fly my little bird with a Rotax 912 engine from Florida to Nova Scotia. I don’t get it – it seems like a trip of a life time to me. Aviatrix seemed pretty excited about the excursion. She also had a detailed list of questions for me that indicated her thoroughness and level of preparedness. I decided to ask her if she would consider helping me fly my plane home after her August contract was complete. This would mean that I would miss a few weeks of summer flying but it will give me more time to get some flight training and if she is willing I think I will have a compatible travelling partner.

I spoke to Aviatrix and she agreed to help me fly my plane back to Nova Scotia. She asked me if we will be camping along the way so that she can plan to bring her sleeping bag. I decide to level with her about some additional things that I know about myself – I don’t like the outdoors and I am quite a capitalist (as unfashionable as that may be these days).

The Paperwork – Winter, Spring and Summer 2008

As it turns out, there is more to buying a plane than just wiring the manufacturer the dough for the bird. I determined that there are three things that I need to make happen before I bring my plane from the U.S. to Canada. If I can accomplish these three things, the importation of my plane should be seamless.

I would like the registration marks on my plane to be personalized. I do not have a vanity plate on my car but I do have a vanity plate for my scooter and I would like personalized registration marks for my plane. I spoke to a representative at Transport Canada and am informed that it can take up to six weeks to reserve registration marks and the cost is $110. However, after speaking with the representative on the phone for a few minutes, she confirms that the marking that I would like is available and reserves it for me.

Then there is the matter of registration of the plane. I am registering the plane in Canada and fortunate for me, the registration is done by the same helpful person that looked after my vanity markings. She informs me that I am going to need the following to register my plane;

• Minimum Useful Load Calculation
• Copy of the data plate - the data plate must include the name of the manufacturer, the model, the serial number
• Bill of sale
• A letter from the FAA indicating the plane is not on the American register nor has it ever been registered in the US
• Registration Application Form

These forms are going to require the assistance of the manufacturer. Also, I am not sure how willing he is going to be to complete the Bill of Sale when I have not fully paid for the plane. I gave the manufacturer a call and explained that I would like to have the plane registered before my journey with the plane from Florida to Canada and this will require a Bill of Sale. He was very helpful and said he would complete the Bill of Sale and did not have a problem doing this because if I don’t pay for the plane in full before I take delivery, he is not going to give me the keys. Fair enough.

The last piece of paperwork that I need to have organized is the importation paperwork for the plane. I called Canada Border Services and they directed me to another number and after an hour later I am redirected to the initial number that I called. Well, enough of this for one day. I have left myself lots of time and I will give a fresh start to this effort again in the morning.

The next day, after play ring around the phone rosy - again, I am starting to lose my patience. However, it is not until one inspector hangs up on me that I get really steamed. I called back and asked for the Superintendent. I got his voicemail and he called me back promptly and I explained what I was trying accomplish. He said he didn’t know the exact paperwork required for importation of a recreational aircraft but he would find out and get back to me and so he did. He put me in contact with the inspector in Fredericton who would most likely being clearing my aircraft. I spoke to Inspector “I” who informed me that I will need;

• Bill of Sale
• Certificate of Origin
• B15

She emphasized that I call Canpass no earlier than two days in advance of entry into Canada and call again before entry to confirm my ETA. She also said it is necessary that I explain to Canpass that I am doing a Personal Importation and flying VFR. Inspector “I” works Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. She has a very good understanding of the requirements of importation and seems very competent. I am going to do my best to land in Fredericton when she is working because I think if I have complied with her instructions, the importation should be seamless.

All of this seems easy and hey, it might be for the next plane I bring into Canada, but this took a lot of time and required several calls and misinformation before I got to the right people who could help me. I am glad that I left myself several months to work through the process.

The Ground School Exam – July 2008

The ground school exam for the Ultra Light Aeroplane pilot permit consists of eighty multiple choice questions and your need 60% correct to pass. You have three hours to complete the exam. I had been studying the material that I bought from the Ultralight Pilot’s Association of Canada (UPAC) and have done my time at ground school. I took the day off work before my exam to do some day before cramming. I also wanted to write some of the practice exams in the back of my UPAC books.

After the first several questions of the exam I realize that I am not as prepared as I would like and don’t have a good understanding of the material. So much for “you don’t need to know that”. I put in a good day of studying in between some work related issues. However, I am not feeling that confident.

The exam is farmed out by Transport Canada and the closest location for me to write the exam is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes from my home. I arrive about twenty minutes early to get the lay of the land. The examiner is not prepared for my arrival and asks me what the the prerequisite is for taking the exam. After some wrestling with papers and a few faxes, proof that I have the prerequisites, I am ready to take the exam.

The exam is written in a one room building that was built in 1948. The examiner proudly says that they haven’t done a thing to it since then. I am not sure that needed to be said. I am glad it is summer and it is a warm day. The instructor goes back to the main building but indicates before his departure that he can watch me from the main building because there is a camera installed behind my desk.

The test is computer based and I quickly get started and am familiar with the majority of the questions thanks to the practice exams. I finished in about an hour and twenty minutes. The nice thing about most computer based tests is that you can get your results quickly. The instructor pushed a button on the computer and voila – 89%. I am happy – one more thing off the check list!

The Target Date – July 2008

I have hired Aviatrix to help me fly my plane home from Florida and I am ready to book our plane tickets to Orlando. Just one last call to the manufacturer to confirm the date. I spoke to the manufacturer and he introduces a phrase that I have not heard in our previous conversations, “target date”. I explain to him that I am not sure what he means by this and the long and short of it is that he suggests I have a plan B. There is no plan B. The plane has to be ready when we are there to pick it up as expenses accumulate daily and my revenue comes to a standstill when I am not working.

The manufacturer and I agree to a date that he can insure that the plane will be ready. If it is not ready by this date, he agrees to pay for expenses incurred by me for the delay excluding lost wages. I am disappointed, but it is what it is and it is better to find out now than to be spending several nights in a hotel in Rockledge, Florida waiting idly by and putting pressure on the folks to hurry and finish my plane.

I immediately called Aviatrix to tell her the news. Unfortunately, Aviatrix has a job lined up for the month of August and will not be able to help fly my plane home on the new date August 6th. I am back to the drawing board trying to find another ferry pilot.

Finding a Ferry Pilot – Part 2

Given the limitations of my insurance policy for my ultra light regarding instruction, I have to find a Canadian Flight Instructor or a Commercial Pilot. I would like to log some of the hours from my flight from Florida to Nova Scotia for my ultra pilots license, therefore, my first choice is to find a Canadian Flight Instructor, however, I can’t be too choosey at this point.

I had asked my instructor if he could help me bring my bird home from Florida and he relayed that he had some passport issues. No need to elaborate. I started to search the internet for ferry pilots. This is how I came in contact with my ferry pilot “Aviatrix”. I sent an e-mail to Aviatrix and she quickly responded. We corresponded back and forth and I got a sense that she was a very detailed person and seemed very enthusiastic about the journey from Florida to Nova Scotia in my little bird. Following is some of our correspondence…


Sorry to be so long getting back to you. I have been working through some Transport Canada red tape. I have some answers for you but I am still working on others. lite flyer
Questions ... is it brand new, or how many hours has it flown? Aviatrix
Brand new plane lite flyer
Is it insured to Canadian requirements and Canadian registered?
It will be registered in Canada
Is it registered as an ultra light or an experimental airplane?
I am working on getting the plane classified as an advanced ultra light vs. a basic ultra light so that I can carry passengers
Have you already talked with Transport Canada about the import paperwork? (I've had to take an airplane BACK to the states for someone who discovered he wasn't allowed to import it, so that's definitely something to know!)
I am speaking with them almost on a daily basis - I will get it resolved soon I hope
I don't see a transponder in the picture: there's a lot of complex airspace up the coast and technically you're supposed to have one for the border crossing.
Still working on this
Do you have the long range tanks?
18 gallon tank
Have you done route planning for that already?
no
You've flown it already and know it will pass the preflight to your satisfaction when you arrive in Orlando?
I will be picking it up at the manufacturer & they will do the preflight inspection
Do you have an idea what its (or your personal, which ever is less) limits for wind and turbulence should be?
What engine does it have?
912 Rotax 100 hp
Does it take AVGAS or MOGAS?
autogas

I can’t believe my luck – have I found someone as retentive and enthusiastic as me? Sorry Aviatrix, it is meant as a complement.

The Insurance – June 2008

Canadian Aviation Regulations require ultra lights to have liability insurance covering risks of public liability in an amount that is not less than $100,000 – there words, not mine. I had already made some general enquiries regarding the cost of the insurance but now is the time to get more specific.

There are two associations in Canada that provide their members with access to group insurance rates; Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada (UPAC) and Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). The rate for the minimum liability insurance is very reasonable and is less that $200 if you are in either the UPAC or COPA group plan. However, I want more than the minimum insurance. Further scrutiny of both plans is required.

While reading the fine print in the information provided on web regarding one of the plans, I came across a paragraph “ While you are using your own privately owned aircraft, not owned by the instructor, to undergo instruction, we will cover a Flying instructor who is deemed not a passenger while providing you instruction only if they are properly certificated and qualified to provide the Flying instruction and instruction is performed strictly in accordance with all applicable Transport Canada Canadian Aviation Regulations”. This may present a problem for me if my American ferry pilot Pete was helping me fly my bird home. Upon further investigation, I discover that I need a Canadian Certified Flight Instructor or a pilot that is a holder of a Commercial Pilot’s license to help me fly my bird home from Florida. Not someone that I am quickly going to find in the Yellow Pages.

I also learn that I can insure my plane through one of the plans for damage to the aircraft caused in an accident. The amount that I can buy is optional. I decided to investigate further the average cost of the damage to a plane involved in a crash if the pilot survives. Hey, if I don’t survive, I won’t care about the cost to fix my plane.

Finding a Ferry Pilot - Part 1

Travelling with my husband on his business trips to Florida is not as glamorous as it seems. It is interesting and sometimes fun but not so glamorous. One of the big time wasters is the driving. He generally works in the Panhandle but during the same business trip, may also have business in Southern Florida. It then becomes a tossup as to whether we fly or drive – each taking approximately the same amount of time after considering airport transfers and check in time.

When we are working in Florida, I generally do market research which entails going to resort developments and getting as much information on the project as possible. During one of my marketing research days I decided to take a side trip to a flight school to do another type of research. I was enquiring as to whether someone at the flight school would be interested in flying us from Destin to Tampa occasionally and if I had a pilot’s license could we rent a plane. I talked with an instructor, Pete, who was available to fly us to Tampa occasionally. He also explained that I could rent one of their planes for $60 to $100 per hour, dependent on the plane and size of engine. The rental charge is based only on the time in the air and if we were in Tampa over night, we would not be charged any additional dough. This sounded pretty good, now all I had to do was get a pilot’s license.

My husband wonders why when I go into a store or other establishment it takes me so long. These thoughts go through his mind occasionally when he emerges out of cell phone abyss. It takes me longer because I am usually engaged in a conversation with a stranger. I like people. I wouldn’t say I am a people person because I am not as socially skilled as some but I do find people fascinating. Pete was from Millinocket, Maine. This detail became useful information as I started to think about how I was going to get my little bird from Rockledge, Florida to Nova Scotia.

It was a few months before my bird would be ready and I was going to be in Florida so I decided that I would go see Pete to determine if he would be interested in flying my plane back to Nova Scotia with me, perhaps we could time it around his summer vacation back in Millinocket. I met with Pete and he was interested. Just a few more details to work out and I could check ferry pilot off my to do list.

My First Flight Instruction – June 2008

My first flying lesson took place after the third ground school class. My instructor and I drove to his hangar on a lake and took his Rans ultra light out for a short flight. The instructor had done a pre flight inspection before our flight. His plane had tandem seating with controls for the second pilot also – all except the flap stick. I sat in the front seat and my instructor was in the back seat. After the takeoff he instructed me to put up the flaps. What was he talking about? I had seen a picture of the flaps in my study guide but there wasn’t a corresponding instructional diagram on how to lower or raise the flaps. The plane was loud and it was difficult to hear. We were up higher than I had been before and there was water everywhere below.

As it turned out, the flaps were controlled by a stick to the left of my seat. However, I could not reach the flaps with my safety harness on. As my instructor said with greater intensity, raise the flaps, I took off my harness to lower the stick which raises the flaps – counter intuitive if you ask me. Also, there was a trick to the stick handling; you had to raise it up slightly before it would go down. Information that I thought might have been useful to know before the flight, however the bloody flaps were finally down.

My instructor told me to fly towards the lake. Do you know how many lakes there are in Nova Scotia? Which one? There had to be at least six within close proximity. I thought to myself, I like my own plane much better and I can’t wait to get it home!

The Hangar Space Dilemma

I have purchased the plane and am expecting to have it in Nova Scotia sometime near the first of August. I now have to find a place to store the plane. I had looked at the brochures that have been coming in the mail for prefab buildings, however, after investing in the plane I think an additional outlay of capital for the purchase of a hangar is out of the question.

I have two leads on a hangar space. The first lead was an individual that has his own private airstrip. It sounded great as his strip is located only twenty five minutes from my house. I contacted him to determine if he rented hangar space. He didn’t but said I could build a hangar on his site if I wished. I thought it was a very generous offer but I did not want to sink more capital into my recreational activity. Also, his grandsons ploughed the runway in the winter but not on a regular basis. Providing the heater option that I bought for my plane works, I plan to fly in the winter months.

The second lead was a flying club located about 45 minutes from my house. My instructor thought this location would be the best choice to hangar my plane because there would be others around who may be able to lend me some support. Also, their grass strip was in good shape. I contacted the airport manager who promptly e-mailed me back and informed me that he may have something available in June – this may all come together!

The Crash - May 2008

I was attending a Rotary dinner with a friend and her boyfriend. They and the others at the table were very interested to hear about my plane adventures. I told them about my ground school course, the instructor, and my new plane. When I arrived home later that evening my husband asked if I had heard that an ultra light had crashed.

The next day at work I was busy fielding calls from friends and business associates about the ultra light crash. I am not sure why people identify an ultra light crash with me and feel compelled to extend themselves verbally. Later in the morning, the friend that I attended the Rotary dinner with the previous evening called and asked if it was my instructor that crashed. I didn’t know who crashed the plane so she read the article that was in the newspaper and the name of the individual that crashed. It was my instructor! I called my husband to inform him. Probably not the wisest thing to do. It was a Friday, and that evening, cocktail discussion was a bit livelier than usual with many people assuming that the crash would be the catalyst for me changing my mind about flying and the individual that was instructing me. I hadn’t.

I had called my instructor – he was okay but quite shook up and suffering from whip lash. The good news was he followed all the proper procedures which helped to save his life. I am reassured that the textbook theory works. However, my instructor informs me that ground school is terminated. I am in a pickle.

I decided to give the instructor a few days to digest his trauma. I was thinking that he may still have been in shock when I spoke to him last. I called him several days later to see how he was and if he had changed his mind about ground school - he had. My instructor decided to fulfill his ground school commitment to me. However, he said he would need longer breaks throughout our session. More than reasonable I thought and quite honorable of him given his situation. I am back on track.

My First Ground School Class - May 2008

Ground school is approximately 20 hours of classroom training. It entails learning about weather, aircraft maintenance, flight regulations, navigation and aerodynamics. My instructor lives about 120 kilometres from my home. We decide, in the interest of travel time, to have four sessions, each session being five hours in duration. I was in the Chartered Financial Analyst program so I am used to marathon sessions, however, my instructor after the fourth hour of my highlights and questions starts answering my questions by “you don’t need to know that”. C’est la vie.

The instruction takes place in his beautiful wood exposed home on a picturesque 11 acre lot. Occasionally I am distracted by the wandering deer outside his kitchen window. It is very pleasant. His wife has a nice fruit pie prepared for our break. Hey, maybe I don’t need to know everything about aerodynamics in the first week. It is going okay.

The Search for a Flight School – March 2008

It is starting to sink in that I bought a plane. Somehow the realization eluded me until I instructed my assistant to wire my deposit to the manufacturer. There is something about your hard earned savings retreating from your brokerage account that snaps you into reality. I bought a plane – now I have to figure out how to fly the thing!

I had a lead on one instructor and after playing telephone tag for a month and then realizing that he didn’t have a plane to instruct from, I determined my clock was ticking and I better move into high gear and find another instructor. I called the two flight schools located within 150 kilometres of my home. Both of the schools indicated that they didn’t have a program for an ultra light license. I called Transport Canada who gave me the names and phone number of instructors within 150 kilometre radius of my home. Three of the numbers were either disconnected or wrong. One of the numbers was the individual without a plane who I contacted previously. I tried the last instructor. Success, his number rang and he answered the phone.

After a lengthy chat with my soon to be instructor on the requirements to get a basic ultra light license, we agree to start my ground school training in a week’s time. I ordered the books and when they arrived I started reading, highlighting, and preparing a bank of questions for the instructor. Some people may use the word retentive as part of their description of me. I like to think of myself as an enthusiastic learner. I have found an instructor, let the learning begin!

Plane Banter - March 2008

It has been several months since I started my search for a light aircraft. There has been more discussion about the plane amongst my family, friends and business associates. Word has travelled quickly and not always accurately. One of my business associates dropped by office to tell me that he heard a rumor that I bought a learjet.

Meanwhile, I am planning on having a gang over at my home in the evening for some dinner and drinks. More plane banter. After a few martinis you would be surprised how people can attack your hobby. I quickly retaliate while dispelling the learjet rumour by showing them a picture of the plane that I bought. It was quite an evening!

The Negotiation - February 2008

I do consider myself to be a good negotiator. However, when you are ill informed you are quite disadvantaged. I already knew that the Aventura seemed to be a good value based on the comparables at the Air Show and other searches I had done but I wasn’t sure how much room there was for financial maneuvering with the manufacturer of the Aventura. Bob seemed to have integrity, a love for flying and I wasn’t sure about his business acumen. I soon found out.

Bob had a spreadsheet of the costs of the plane and options. What quickly became apparent was some of what I consider to be a basic appendage of the airplane was an option. A heater was an option because in the warmer climate, most people don’t have a need for a heater. To upgrade from what looked like bicycle tires was an option. The list went on, however, when we got to the roof and it being an option I couldn’t contain myself. However, once again, Bob explained to me that in the warmer Southern climates, some people don’t like to have roofs on their planes. What I have since learned is this is the norm for the light aircraft industry. You may look at a kit plane that appears to be reasonable and affordable, but as you start adding luxury items like a heater and roof – look out. It is what it is.

We got to the bottom line and Bob gave me some flexibility with the electronic options. He explained that if I could find the electronics cheaper elsewhere, he would either match the price or I could buy them from another supplier. This seemed fair. He explained that there is not as much margin built into the price as what I think and I agree to proceed with the purchase of an Aventura with a four to six month delivery date.

My must haves and other option necessities on the plane has pushed the price from a seems very reasonable to a reasonable price. Hooray for the strong loonie!

Trip to the Aventura Factory - February 2008

I have been doing more research on light Aircraft and I have convinced myself that I could spend the next few years looking and not find a plane that is going to be a better fit for me than the Aventura. In fact, we met several people at the Air Show that had looked at planes for more than two years before committing to one that was right for them.

I decided that I needed to know more about the Aventura before committing. I called the manufacturer and arranged to visit his factory in Rockledge, Florida to see the planes being built. I also wanted to fly in the Aventura with two sets of golf clubs on board. Once again I can piggy back on one of my husband’s business trips and avoid additional hotel and rental car bills.

Rockledge, Florida is approximately a 45 minute drive from Orlando. I had arranged to meet Bob, the owner of Aero Adventure at his factory at 8:30 a.m. – no time for the Starbucks drive through, it is a hotel coffee in a take out cup in the virtual office with GPS.

We arrived at the factory and there is a grass landing strip next to the building. True to his word, Bob had an Aventura warming up next to the strip and it had two sets of golf clubs on board. Bob and I exchanged some pleasantries and than took off in the air. The flight was exhilarating. I was surprised that it was a little quieter than other small aircraft that I had flown in. It also seemed to be a smooth flight.

The only part that wigged me out was landing on water. The Aventura is considered an Amphibian plane which means it has a set of retractable wheels, which enables it to take off and land on both land and water. It is different than a seaplane, which has pontoons but no wheels and is limited to water takeoffs and landings.

In the amphib, landing on the water entails skimming the surface of the water on the hull of the plane before floating and water taxiing. Unlike the seaplane which lands on pontoons attached to the hull, there isn’t a barrier between the water and the hull. You can stick your arm out the window of the Aventura and touch the water – just watch out for the gaters. It is best to land in very calm water because waves can make landing a bit rough.

Back to the factory where we had a tour and then a break for lunch.

Narrowing the Search for the Perfect Plane - Sebring Air Show 2008

I have determined that I am on quest for a plane that has fabric wings, a good heater, can land on water as well as land and has room for two sets of golf clubs. My must have list rules out the majority of the planes at Sebring. However, I do come across a quirky looking plane called the Aventura. The owner of the company is working at his booth and we have a great chat about his plane. It seems to have everything I am looking for and the price seems to be very reasonable.

I show my husband the plane and he seems to like it but is taken by some of the sexier looking planes at the Air Show including the new Cessna Skycatcher. I remind him that the Skycatcher won’t fit his clubs and it costs thousands more. He is starting like the Aventura more and more.

Just a few observations; getting in and out of some of the small planes can be a challenge. It is good to be flexible. My childhood gymnastics is finally paying off. Another thing, most of the exhibitors thought my husband was buying the plane and was the pilot. My husband quickly rebuffed any of those ideas (he sometimes likes to do that before I have the opportunity if you catch my drift).

The Air Show was great. Sebring was small enough to walk around and see all of the exhibits in one day. We had a great time and learned a lot about light aircraft and learned enough to know that I needed to learn more. However, the Aventura was my top pick for now.

Air Shows and My Husband’s Golf Clubs - January 2008

One thing that I have learned in my few short months investiga- ting light aircraft is that people in the aviation industry generally have a love of flying and a passion for sharing their experience and knowledge. The Challenger ultralight was not a fit for my purposes and I explained this to the local representative. He was very helpful in suggesting that I visit one of the upcoming Air Shows to source a plane that would fit my needs.

I did some research and determined that there were three air shows in the near term; Sebring U.S Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida held in January, Sun N Fun in Lakeland, Florida in the spring and Oshkosh Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the summer. I had fish to fry and thoughts of waiting until the summer to attend Oshkosh did not sound appealing. Also, Oshkosh is a very large show with over 2500 exhibitors. This would be a lot to take in for someone that is new to recreational aviation.

As it turned out, my husband was planning a business trip to Florida in January. He agreed that if I went with him on the business trip, he would take a day off and go to the Air Show with me (ofcourse, not without his beloved cell phone).

Fast forward a few weeks later and we are driving from Sarasota to Sebring with a latte in hand. Thank goodness for the portable GPS that I bought my husband for Christmas. It makes a drive on the back roads in Florida pleasant other then when the alarm that my husband installed on the GPS goes off every time we are within five kilometres of a golf course. Do you know how many golf courses there are in Florida?

We arrive at Sebring and my husband has brought his laptop, PDA, files etc. – a virtual office in the rental car. He has arranged to participate in a conference call and decides to follow me into the show but to take the call lurking behind me somewhere off the beaten track as I talk to the plane manufacturers. What we don’t know is that there is drag racing going on next to the air show so his conference call is a bit labored. After an hour or two and my occasional insistence that he get off the phone and sit in one of planes, he has a melt down and says he is not sitting in anymore planes. Well, he held out longer than I thought he would.

I am quickly realizing that the planes in my budget come with fabric wings made out of a coated dacron. I rule out all aluminum wing birds and concentrate on the fabric wing birds, not knowing how much longer I have at the Air Show. I am interested in one bird and become engaged with the salesperson, my husband reappears from cell phone abyss to inform me that I can’t get that one. I ask him why not and he informs me that it won’t fit his golf clubs and if I am getting a plane he at least wants it to be able to fit his clubs so we can go away golfing for the weekend with the plane. I said but I thought you weren’t going in the plane so why would I consider whether your golf clubs fit. My budget has just increased along with my must have list. Happy New Year!

My First Ultralight Flight - December 2007

It is the first part of December and I am doing some mindless department store Christmas shopping. My cell phone rings which is odd since I have only given my number out to less than a handful of people. I hate the things, especially mine. I opted for the free phone that came with my package (fiscally prudent thing to do I tell myself) and I can barely hit the numbers in sequence on the keypad because they are so close together.

It is the Challenger dealer and he is recommending that we go for a flight the next morning. The weather looks great. He recommends that I wear something really warm as he is unsure if his mechanic has installed his heater in the Challenger. I agree and we arrange to meet close to the airstrip at a Maritime watering hole – Tim Hortons.

After meeting, we drive to the Stanley Airport where his plane is hangered. It is a beautiful drive in the country and I see a pheasant. We get to the airport which is basically a building, several hangars and several travel trailers around and a grass strip. The rep goes through the pre flight plan check and we taxi the plane to the strip.

I have to admit, the cabin compartment is much smaller than I thought it would be. I am seated behind the pilot and my legs are very cramped. I think there is no chance that I will ever get my husband in this. The heater is not installed and the cabin is very cold. We remain in the air approximately 30 minutes and it is a beautiful, clear day. However, I am climate challenged by the Challenger.

After the flight, I came to the conclusion that this Ultralight was not for me. I can definitely see its appeal but I need something a little larger and a plane that can handle a little more weather variability. A strong heater is also added to my must have list!

Living on the Edge - November 2007

About a month later, word has spread amongst my friends that I was thinking of buying an Ultra Light. Most of them are visualizing something similar to a glider with a lawn mower engine attached. They are asking if I have a death wish. Ever since I bought my Vespa scooter a couple of years ago, they think I am really living on the edge.

Some have asked my husband if he has talked to me about how dangerous it is to fly small planes. His standard answer is "I know, I can’t talk to her". My best friend says "I know you have made up your mind so there is no sense trying to change it". They know me well. Flying has never bothered me. In fact, the limited flying that I have done in small planes I have really enjoyed – with the exception of an occasional Island hopper flight in a small plane with duct tape on the wings.

I am surprised how fast word has traveled that I am thinking of buying an Ultra Light. It is Christmas cocktail party season and I am simply minding my own business sipping on my Chardonnay when someone comes up to tell me that I am going to kill myself. Several others feel the need to jump in and concur. More to my surprise are the number of people that tell me that they are scared of heights and that they would never go up in my plane - not that I recall asking.

My husband has succumbed to the pressure and says he is not flying with me. Merry Christmas!

Discovery of the Ultralight - Fall 2007

For the last several years I have periodically searched for used planes on Google. I was always surprised at the price of a 30 to 40 year old bright orange plane with shag carpeting. Being the fiscally prudent (cheap) person that I am, I thought owning a plane would be out of my financial comfort range.

Then my husband came across an article in the Globe and Mail on Ultra Lights. These planes seemed to be perfect for my usage. They are small, low maintenance, economical and I would only need an Ultra Light pilot license to fly one. I was told through the grape vine (turned out to be not such a reliable source) that I would only need ten hours of flying time and I would have an Ultralight pilot’s license.

After some pondering, I determined that I wanted a two person plane with floats. The majority of my family lives approximately 275 miles from my home and I thought it would be great to be able to make the occasional flight to visit family versus the four and a half hour drive that has become routine. I was not naïve about the limitations of flying the plane in bad weather but rationalized that even if I could fly every third trip it would be great. Visualizing landing on the St. John River in front of my sister’s house was also fun.

After some checking around, I came in contact with a Challenger dealer in my area. After some discussion about what I wanted in a plane, the Challenger rep thought that his plane might be a fit and offered to take me for test flight. He would give me a call when the weather was good on a weekend and we could go up for a flight. I waited for the call.